Chambo Off To Work We Go wrote:Because knighting is a Monachistic activity.Is Mr Abbott going to morph himself into King Tony?

"My Kingdom, my Kingdom, my kingdom for a pair of budgy smugglers..."

When did we become a republic?

And when did we start Knighting people who are simply doing there job and are very well paid for doing it as well. Cringeworthy is not the word--pardon me while I puke.

So a knighthood from the queen of another country is acceptable, but not someone from our own?

I completely understand the flack for Abbott because he's a prize knob, just think people go overboard in their criticisms - If this is one of the bigger issues our nation faces (sadly it isn't) then we wouldn't be too bad off would we?

Chambo Off To Work We Go wrote:Because knighting is a Monachistic activity.Is Mr Abbott going to morph himself into King Tony?

"My Kingdom, my Kingdom, my kingdom for a pair of budgy smugglers..."

When did we become a republic?

And when did we start Knighting people who are simply doing there job and are very well paid for doing it as well. Cringeworthy is not the word--pardon me while I puke.

So a knighthood from the queen of another country is acceptable, but not someone from our own?

I completely understand the flack for Abbott because he's a prize knob, just think people go overboard in their criticisms - If this is one of the bigger issues our nation faces (sadly it isn't) then we wouldn't be too bad off would we?

Yes exactly, I have never heard of the Australian Government handing out these gongs before.We are still part of the Commonwealth and as such they are handed out by the Monarchy--Don't get me wrong I am a fence sitter on this subject, whether we should be or not, but as it stands I have never heard of a knighthood being awarded by a sitting government of Australia

I think the knocking down of people recieving a knighthood is simply the usual tall poppy syndrome so popular in society. People cannot achieve anything without someone else needing to feel that they have to knock them down because they recieved nothing themselves. Why not simply be happy for the outgoing and incoming GG? Peter Cosgrove fully deserves to be honoured in any was possible for what he has done for this country.

Pick some people who will never qualify for the award, like Shane Warne and Clive Palmer, put a Sir in front e.g. "Sir Clive" and then rubbish the idea because Palmer doesn't deserve a knighthood. Of course not, but it was never intended that he would ever receive one. It's knee jerk, populist, posturing that gets a F in logic, but no doubt the Abbott bashers will love it. Much easier to ridicule then discuss the pros and cons in a sensible manner.

Not sure if we need an honorific to recognise our best citizens but if we decide we do then I suppose Sir and Dame is as good as any titles. It gives more recognition then calling everyone Mr and Ms and any "Australianised" version will most likely be cringeworthy.

The big question is, should the very best of Australians who have risen to the top of their fields and have international as well as national standing, The Peter Cosgroves, the Noble Prize winners, the Chief Justice, have a title to reconise their achivements?

Australia is supposed to be an egalitarian society. I think calling someone 'Sir' or 'Lady' or 'Dame' is unnecessary and something we're much better off without. I have no problem with recognising achievement through an awards system, but 'Sir' and 'Dame' are a British tradition, I think? We grew up enough as a country to depart from British titles long ago.

The other problem is that a good percebtage of 'Sirs' have bought them through donations to political parties, etc.

I just think this is a laughable, retrograde step, which appeals to the Monarchists and those who agree with them.